Word&Way trustee Don W. Kirkpatrick, 71, died unexpectedly at his home in Independence on March 29.
Don Kirkpatrick
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He was born Jan. 3, 1938, in Warrensburg, the son of James C. and Jessamine Kirkpatrick. He married his high school sweetheart, Annetta Fraley, on June 23, 1956. She survives.
Besides his wife, survivors include a daughter, Dee A. Yancey and husband, Craig, of Holden; two sons, James K. Kirkpatrick and wife Kristy, Pleasant Hill, and Larry D. Kirkpatrick and wife, Marla, Warrensburg; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. His parents preceded him in death.
Kirkpatrick attended Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, from 1956-1958 and the University of Missouri School of Journalism from 1959-1961 before returning to the family newspaper in Windsor.
Kirkpatrick and his wife published The Windsor Review, a weekly newspaper in Windsor, in the 1960s and The Lamar Democrat, a Lamar daily, from 1972-1974. He was an active member of the Missouri Press Association.
In 1974, he became director of advertising at The Daily Star-Journal, Warrensburg, and held that position until he retired from the newspaper business in 1998. In 1999 he joined L-3 as a contract employee for the U. S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics in Kansas City, and was employed there at the time of his death.
Kirkpatrick served on the Executive Board of the Missouri Baptist Convention from 1986-1991, and on the Word&Way Baptist newspaper committee. He was named a charter member of the newspaper’s Board of Trustees from 2001-2006, serving as chairperson for two years. He returned to the Board of Trustees again in 2008.
“Don was what I would call a winsome Baptist layperson,” editor Bill Webb said. “He served Word&Way enthusiastically during challenging times, two years as board chairperson. He spoke passionately about the importance of a free press and the value of Word&Way.”
He was ordained as a deacon in 1969 and was a member of Second Baptist Church, Liberty.
A visitation and celebration of Kirkpatrick’s life was held on April 5 at the church. Private family graveside services were at Sunset Hills in Warrensburg.
The family suggests memorial gifts be made to Word&Way, 3236 Emerald Lane, Suite 400, Jefferson City, MO 65109.
